When Medical Needs Can’t Wait: The Plaintiff Fund Charity

“At the Women in Trial Travel Summit in Punta Mita, Plaintiff Fund volunteer and President of PI Presence Melissa Delaney will be sharing more about the Plaintiff Fund and how trial lawyers can incorporate it into their client support strategy.”

Trial lawyers know this situation well. A client is injured. The case is ongoing. Medical needs don’t wait for verdict or settlement.

In many situations, there’s no clear path to help them cover those costs. It’s easy to imagine how the plaintiff feels: completely undone.

That’s where the Plaintiff Fund comes in, supported by volunteers including trial lawyers Genie Harrison, Kurt Zaner, Kelley Simoneaux, Shahrad Milanfar, and Rick Barrera.

What Is the Plaintiff Fund?

The Plaintiff Fund is a nonprofit crowdfunding resource designed to help plaintiffs raise money for medical expenses while their case is ongoing.

As a division of charity Help Hope Live, plaintiffs receive:

● A $5,000 starter grant

● Up to $5,000 in matching funds

● One-on-one support to build and manage a fundraising campaign

● Help identifying medical providers and equipment vendors

Most importantly, this support is designed to protect eligibility for public benefits like Medicaid, which traditional crowdfunding platforms often overlook.

Why This Matters

Many plaintiffs turn to platforms like GoFundMe when they need help paying for care.

What most don’t realize is that those funds can count against income and asset limits for programs like Medicaid. In some cases, that can lead to a loss of coverage that’s far more valuable than the funds raised.

The Plaintiff Fund offers a different approach, one that allows plaintiffs to access support without creating additional risk.

Wait, How Does This Work?

It’s a fair question. The Plaintiff Fund can sound too good to be true. After all, it offers up to $10,000 in combined grants and matching funds, and it’s not a loan or advance.

The program is supported by charitable donations from individuals, law firms, and organizations. Those

funds are used to provide the starter grants and matching community donations raised by plaintiffs.

Substantial support has come from the Plaintiff Recovery Trust Arrangement at Eastern Point Trust

Company, which allows plaintiffs to avoid double taxation of legal fees on taxable recoveries.

This is real, community-supported funding designed to help plaintiffs quickly access care without risking their benefits.

A Real Example

Cindy Rodriguez lost both legs after being struck by a freight train. Like many plaintiffs, she faced significant medical needs while her case was still ongoing, including home modifications, transportation, and both physical and mental rehabilitation. She needs help covering those expenses.

Through the Plaintiff Fund, she was able to begin raising money, along with something just as important:

peace of mind. She is now working toward raising $100,000 for osseointegration surgery, a life-changing

procedure, while maintaining eligibility for her benefits. If you can, please support her here.

Dignity, Empowerment, and Community

Beyond the financial support, the Plaintiff Fund helps plaintiffs build something else: connection.

Fundraising becomes a way to involve family, friends, and community during recovery. That sense of support can play a meaningful role alongside the medical care itself.

This is where the impact extends beyond dollars. It becomes about dignity, empowerment, and community during a time that can otherwise feel isolating.

The WITTS Connection

At the Women in Trial Travel Summit in Punta Mita, Plaintiff Fund volunteer and President of PI Presence

Melissa Delaney will be sharing more about the Plaintiff Fund and how trial lawyers can incorporate it into their client support strategy.

Because supporting clients isn’t just about what happens in the courtroom or around a negotiating table. It’s about showing up for them throughout the entire process. It’s about empowering them to face their new reality head-on. It’s about compassion.

And it’s exactly the kind of conversation that belongs in this community.

Learn More

If you work with plaintiffs who are facing medical expenses during litigation, the Plaintiff Fund is a resource you need to know.

You can learn more at PlaintiffFund.org.

And if you’ll be joining us in Punta Mita, we hope you’ll join Melissa’s session and be part of the conversation.